Nashville Predators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Predators kicked off a four-game Canadian road trip with Monday’s 4-1 victory in Ottawa, and have now surrendered just five total goals while opening their campaign with wins in two of three contests.
Despite coming up short over the weekend, the Maple Leafs lead the way as -190 favourites on the Tuesday NHL odds. The Predators trail as +155 underdogs and the total is pegged at 6.5.
Predators vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
Tuesday’s clash will be the first of two meetings between these clubs this season. These teams split a pair of contests last season, with the home team emerging victorious in each, including a 3-2 Leafs victory on December 4. Overall, the Maple Leafs have claimed victory in six of nine head-to-head meetings, and have knocked off the Predators in six of seven matchups in Toronto, and have limited Nashville to just three total goals during a four-game home win streak. With the Predators generating spotty offence, the UNDER has paid out in five of the past six clashes between these teams, with the total reaching six just twice in their past 11. With the Predators playing steady defence, the UNDER has also paid out in each of their contests during a 2-0-1 start. The Leafs have struggled to keep the puck out of the net, allowing 11 total goals during a 1-2-0 start. However, Toronto remains a reliable bet when playing the second contest in back-to-back games, winning five straight while scoring four goals per game.
Nashville Predators
Juuse Saros has played a key role in the Predators hot start to the season, turning aside 89 of the 94 total shots he has faced through the first three games, but will take a seat on Tuesday in favour of backup Justus Annunen on Tuesday night. Annunen produced mixed results after being acquired in trade with Colorado before last season’s trade deadline, going 7-3-0 through his first 10 appearances, but taking the loss in seven of his final nine outings. That ups the pressure on Predators shooters to increase their production after scoring just eight times through three games. Jonathan Marchessault joins Ryan O’Reilly at the top of the team stats following Monday’s two-goal performance, and has racked up for goals and six points over his past four dates with the Leafs, making him a solid +100 bet to record at least a point on Tuesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After turning in a pair of subpar performances in this weekend’s dates with Detroit, goaltender Anthony Stolarz will give way to recently acquired netminder Cayden Primeau, who is expected to make his Leaf debut on Tuesday. Picked up off the waiver wire just ahead of the season opener, Primeau compiled a 2-3-0 record, 4.70 goals against average, and .836 save percentage in 11 appearances with Montreal last season and will be facing the Predators for the first time in his brief career. The 26-year-old will be hoping his teammates can generate more goal support than they provided Stolarz after potting just eight even-strength goals through the first three games. One of the bright spots for Toronto has been Calle Jarnkrok, who has claimed the early team lead in goals after potting markers in each of the first three games of the season. Jarnkrok is an intriguing +900 bet on the NHL player props to score against his old Nashville teammates anytime on Tuesday. Auston Matthews could be ready to bust out after scoring just once on 15 total shots to date, and leads the way as a +105 bet on the anytime goal scorer odds.
